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(FIRST SITTING)
PART III
ENGLISH LANGUAGE & COMPREHENSION
Directions: In question no. 101 to 110, some of
the sentences have errors and some are correct.
Find out which part of a sentence has an error
] corresponding
and blacken the rectangle [
to the appropriate letter (A, B, C). If a sentence is
free from errors, blacken the rectangle
corresponding to (D) in the Answer Sheet.
101. It should be obvious to you (a) / that if you
persist bothering him (b) / he will get angry
with you. (c) / No error. (d)
102. I and Raju (a) / left for Delhi (b) / last
summer. (c) No error. (d)
103. I certainly (a) / differ with you (c) in this
matter. (c) No error (d)
104. H had a suspected fracture (a) / so he was
(b) / admitted into the hospital. (c) / No error
(d)
105. The wages (a) / of hard work (b) / are sweet.
(c) No error (d)
106. I will certainly (a) / avail of your offer (b) /
when the occasion arises. (c) / No error (d)
107. All the pupils (a) / stood up respectively (b)
/ as the Guru entered the room. (c) / No
error (d)
108. Many a men (a) / attended the meeting (b) /
last night. (c) / No error (d)
109. The hour (a) / to prepare lessons (b) / has
arrived. (c) / No error (d)
110. Even at this late stage in her career (a) /
Rekha acts nicely (b) doesnt she ? (c) No
error (d)
Directions: In questions no. 111 to 115, sentences
are given with blanks to be filled in with an
appropriate word. Four alternatives are
suggested for each question. Choose the correct
alternative out of the four and indicate it by
] in
blackening the appropriate rectangle [
the Answer Sheet.

111. The delegates listened to the speaker

__________
(a) attend
(b) attentively
(c) attention
(d) attentive
112. The prices of foodgrains have gone
up_________
(a) consider
(b) considerate
(c) consideration (d) considerably
113. The officer ______ leave to his secretary.
(a) offered
(b) granted
(c) allowed
(d) awarded
114. Nothing _______ like success.
(a) success
(b) succeed
(c) succeeds
(d) successful
115. Whenever I look at Mohan I am ________ of
my brother.
(a) recalled
(b) recollected
(c) reminded
(d) remembered
Directions: In question no. 116 to 120, out of the
four alternatives, choose the one which best
expresses the meaning of the given word and
mark it in the Answer sheet.
116. Absolutely
(a) partly
(c) entirely

(b) really
(d) exclusively

117. Penury
(a) bribery
(c) poverty

(b) injury
(d) penalty

118. Negligent
(a) ignorant
(b) unimportant
(c) careless

(d) cheat

119. Impromptu
(a) unrehearsed
(c) unconvincing
120. Erudite
(a) snobbish
(c) saintly

(b) uninfluenced
(d) improbable
(b) scholarly
(d) secretive

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Directions: In question no. 121 to 125, choose the
word opposite in meaning to the given word and
mark it in the Answer Sheet.
121. Conclude
(a) preclude
(c) seclude

(b) commence
(d) finish

122. Virtue
(a) truth
(c) wisdom

(b) vice
(d) idiocy

123. Notorious
(a) famous
(c) eminent

(b) popular
(d) distinguished

124. Particular
(a) usual
(c) general

(b) random
(d) any

125. Cheer
(a) fear
(c) abuse

(b) threat
(d) decry

Directions: In questions no. 126 to 130, fur

alternative are given for the Idiom/Phrase.
Choose the alternative which best expresses the
meaning of the given Idiom/Phrase and mark it
in the Answer Sheet.
126. To keep the wolf away from the door
(a) to avoid a bad person
(b) to clean the house
(c) to avoid extreme poverty
(d) to visit the zoo
127. To break the ice
(a) to clear the snow
(b) to start quarreling
(c) to commence an interaction
(d) to revive old enmity
128. To pull strings
(a) to tease
(b) to play with ropes
(c) to exert hidden influence

(d) to play music

129. Spick and span
(a) neat and clean
(b) hard-working
(c) kitchen implements
(d) calm and quiet
130. The pros and cons
(a) good and evil
(b) first and last
(c) fair and foul
(d) for and against
Directions: In questions no. 131 to 135, the 1st
and the last part of the sentence are numbered 1
and 6. The rest of the sentence is split into four
parts and named P, Q, R and S. These four parts
are not given in their proper order. Read the
sentence and find out which of the four
combinations is correct. Then find the correct
answer and indicate it by blackening the
] in the Answer
appropriate rectangle [
Sheet.
131. 1.
P.
Q.
R.
S.
6.
(a)
(c)
132. 1.
P.
Q.
R.
S.
6.
(a)
(c)

The three books

and Prejudice, Emma
much are Pride
which I like very
by Jane Austen
and Mansfield Park.
QSPR
(b) SPRQ
SRQP
(d) PRQS
By all standards
belonging to this district
particularly to those
innocent people of this hilly state,
natures punishment to the
has been inordinately cruel.
SRQP
(b) PRQS
RPSQ
(d) SQRP

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133. 1.
P.
Q.
R.
S.
6.
(a)
(c)
134. 1.
P.
Q.
R.
S.
6.
(a)
(b)
(c)
135. 1.
P.
Q.
R.
S.
6.
(a)
(c)

In ancient times the

enjoying many comforts
of the population which did
most of the work without
vast majority
had scarcely and political power.
PQRS
(b) SQRP
QRPS
(d) RPSQ
Science improves our living conditions,
but
rejecting or accepting anything,
provided
and not be afraid of
teach us to think straight
it should also
there are sufficient reasons for doing so.
PRSQ
SQPR
RSPQ
(d) SRQP
It is our duty
and stand by it
whenever the country faces
to offer our voluntary services to the
governments
any untoward happenings
in future.
QSRP
(b) PSQR
SRPQ
(d) RPQS

Directions: In questions no 136 to 145, a

sentence has been given in Active / Passive
Voice. Out of the four alternatives suggested,
select the one which best expresses the same
sentence in Passive / Active Voice and mark
your answer in the Answer Sheet.
136. They are mending a pencil.
(a) A pencil is being mended by them.
(b) A pencil is being mend by them

(c) A pencil is mended by them.

(d) A pencil has been mended by them.
137. The brutal soldiers rent children from their
mothers arms.
(a) Children was rent from their mothers
arms by the brutal soldiers.
(b) Children were being rent from their
mothers arms by the brutal soldiers.
(c) Children were rent from their mothers
arms by the brutal soldiers.
(d) Children have been rent from their
mothers by the brutal soldiers.
138. The doctor ordered me to stay in bed.
(a) I was being ordered by the doctor to stay
in bed.
(b) I had been ordered by the doctor to stay
in bed
(c) To stay in bed ordered the doctor to me
(d) I was ordered to stay in bed by the doctor
139. The garages are cleaned every day.
(a) We cleaned the garages every day
(b) We have cleaned the garages every day
(c) We clean the garages every day
(d) We had cleaned the garages every day
140. Is the carpenter making a chair?
(a) Is a chair made by the carpenter?
(b) Is a chair being made by the carpenter?
(c) Is a chair is being made by the carpenter?
(d) Has a chair been made by the carpenter?
141. Bitter experiences in life have soured the old
man.
(a) The old man has been souring by bitter
experiences in life.
(b) The old man has been soured by bitter
experiences in life.
(c) The old man was soured by bitter
experiences in life
(d) The old man is souring by bitter
experiences in life

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142. Will they pull down the old building?
(a) Will the old building be pulled by them?
(b) Will the old building being pulled down
by them?
(c) Will the old building be being pulled
down by them?
(d) Will the old building be pulled down by
them?
143. Who created this mess?
(a) By whom was this mess created?
(b) Who has created the mess?
(c) This mess is created by whom?
(d) How was this mess created?
144. The difficulty will not deter me.
(a) How will the difficulty deter me?
(b) I have not been deterred by the difficulty.
(c) I will not be deterred by the difficulty.
(d) The difficulty is not deterring me.
145. Call the doctor.
(a) Tell the doctor to come.
(b) Let the doctor be called.
(c) Let not the doctor be called.
(d) Ask the doctor to call.
Directions: In questions no. 146 to 155, a part of
the sentence is underlined which may need
improvement. Alternative are given at (A), (B)
and (C) below, one of which may be a better
option. In case no improvement is needed, your
answer is (D). Blacken the appropriate rectangle
] in the Answer Sheet.
[
146. I grew up in a tiny town called Alwar.
(a) a minute town
(b) a humungous town
(c) a small town
(d) No improvement
147. He asked me if I had a disease.
(a) was unwell
(b) is unwell

(c) have a disease

(d) No improvement
148. The student who will score the maximum
marks, will be awarded a certificate.
(a) who scores the maximum marks
(b) who would score the maximum marks
(c) who would be scoring the maximum
marks
(d) No improvement
149. She congratulated him on his success in the
examination.
(a) about
(b) for
(c) at
(d) No improvement
150. The team has been practicing from the past
two months.
(a) since the past (b) for the past
(c) for past
(d) No improvement
151. Her brother may have aged when she last
saw him.
(a) since she last saw him
(b) from when she last saw him
(c) before she last saw him
(d) No improvement
152. She is really looking forward to interact with
the poet.
(a) looking forward for interacting
(b) looking forward to interacting
(c) looking forward towards interacting
(d) No improvement
153. Frank stood stood to Harry.
(a) beside
(b) besides
(c) besides to
(d) No improvement
154. If you put your heart to it, you will be a
winner.
(a) in it
(b) into it
(c) on it
(d) No improvement

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155. If I will go there, I shall buy the book.
(a) I went
(b) I shall go
(c) I go
(d) No improvement
Directions: In question no. 156 to 165, a sentence
has been given in Direct / Indirect Speech. Out
of the four alternative suggested, select the one
which best expresses the same sentence in
Indirect / Direct Speech and mark your answer
in the Answer Sheet.
156. Please help me to find the way.
(a) She requested that she be found the way
to help.
(b) She requested to be shown the way.
(c) She asked to find the way with help.
(d) She asked for help in finding the way.
157. My friend said, I bought the tickets
yesterday.
(a) My friend had bought the tickets
yesterday.
(b) My friend wanted to buy the tickets
yesterday.
(c) My friend told me buy the tickets.
(d) My friend said that he had bought the
tickets the previous day.
158. I said to my servant, Make haste.
(a) I asked my servant that why does he not
make haste.
(b) I asked my servant that make haste.
(c) I ordered my servant to make haste.
(d) I ordered my servant that it is good that
he makes haste.
159. He said, My brother wants to be a doctor
but Id rather he attuned our business.
(a) He said that his brother would want to
be a doctor but he would wish him to
attend business.

(b) He said that his brother wanted to be a

doctor but hed rather he attended their
business.
(c) His brother wanted to be a doctor but he
said that he should attend business.
(d) He wanted his brother to attend business
and not become a doctor.
160. The teacher said to the student, Recite the
poem loudly.
(a) The teacher told the student that the
poem may be recited loudly.
(b) The teacher asked the student to recite
the poem loudly.
(c) The teacher commanded the student that
he should recite the poem loudly.
(d) The teacher expected that the student
will recite the poem loudly.
161. He says, The earth is round.
(a) He tells that the earth is round.
(b) He says that the earth was round.
(c) He tells that the earth was round.
(d) He says that the earth is round.
162. He asked me, How is your mother?
(a) He asked me how was my mother.
(b) He asked me how my mother was.
(c) He asked me how your mother was.
(d) He asked me how was your mother.
163. The boy said, I shall come with you.
(a) The boy said that he would go with us.
(b) The boys said he would come with us.
(c) The boy stated that if he could come with
us.
(d) The boys stated that if he could go with
us.
164. Ravi said to Reena, Will you accompany
me?
(a) Ravi enquired if Reena will accompany
him.

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SSC Stonographer (16-10-2011)

(b) Ravi asked Reena if she would
accompany him.
(c) Ravi asked to Reena whether she would
accompany him.
(d) Ravi said whether Reena would
accompany him.
165.
(a)
(b)
(c)
(d)

Are you free tomorrow? he asked.

He asked me if I was free the next day.
He asked me if I were free the next day.
He demanded if I was free the next day.
He enquired if I were free tomorrow.

Directions: In the following two passages (Q.

No. 166 to 185) some of the words have been left
out. First read the passage over and try to
understand what it is should. Then fill in the
blanks with the help of the alternatives given.
Mark you answer in the Answer Sheet.
Passage I (Q. Nos. 166 to 185)
Dear father,
I hope this letter find you 166 good health
amidst your hectic office tour. I am sorry 167
inform you that Vijay 168 with an accident while
returning 169 school yesterday. Our family
doctor examined 170 and found that the bone 171
the knee and the ankle was dislocated and 172
an orthopedic surgeon reset in 173 plastered it.
Vijay has been advised bed rest for a week. Please
dont worry. Mother also feels you 174 not cancel
your answer as there is no 175. We will take care,
dont worry.

166. (a)
(c)
167. (a)
(c)
168. (a)
(c)

with
at
that
to
meet
met

Yours affectionately
Gautam
(b) it
(d) of
(b) of
(d) for
(b) occurred
(d) suffered

169. (a)
(c)
170. (a)
(c)
171. (a)
(c)
172. (a)
(c)
173. (a)
(c)
174. (a)
(c)
175. (a)
(c)

from
on
it
this
joined
joining
later
hence
also
therefore
should
need
urgent
hurry

(b)
(d)
(b)
(d)
(b)
(d)
(b)
(d)
(b)
(d)
(b)
(d)
(b)
(d)

since
hence
that
him
joint
adjoining
after
before
and
so
must
may
emergency
urgency

Passage II (Q. Nos. 176 to 185)

Man is happier, for instance, when he is kind
than unkind. He is 176 practicing contentment
than complaining at 177 life is treating him. To
the extent that he hurts 178, he himself attracts
hurts. The yamas 179 niyamas of Patanjali are
not a system of beliefs: 180 are universal
principles 181 hold true for 182 human being.
Intellect 183 is a one-sided aspect of
understanding. What 184 understand with our
hearts is, 185 a surer guide to true
comprehension.
176. (a)
(c)
177. (a)
(c)
178. (a)
(c)
179. (a)
(c)
180. (a)
(c)
181. (a)
(c)

happy
happiest
however
how
nobody
others
and
but
that
these
then
that

(b)
(d)
(b)
(d)
(b)
(d)
(b)
(d)
(b)
(d)
(b)
(d)

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happier
unhappy
why
what
everybody
friends
or
also
they
those
which
their

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SSC Stonographer (16-10-2011)

182. (a)
(c)
183. (a)
(c)
184. (a)
(c)
185. (a)
(c)

all
each
as well
too
one
they
indeed
surely

(b)
(d)
(b)
(d)
(b)
(d)
(b)
(d)

one
every
also
although
all
we
no doubt
certainly

Directions: In questions no. 186 to 200, you have

three brief passages with 5 questions following
each passage. Read the passage carefully and
choose the best answer to each question out of
the four alternative and mark it by blackening
the appropriate rectangle [
] in the Answer
Sheet.
Passage I (Q. Nos. 186 to 190)
The world of today has achieved much, but
for all its declared love of humanity it has based
itself far more on hatred and violence than on
virtues that make man human. War is the
negation of truth and humanity. War may be
unavoidable sometimes but its progeny are
terrible to contemplate. Not mere killing, for man
must die, but the deliberate and persistent
propagation of hatred and falsehood, which
gradually become the normal habits of the
people. It is dangerous and harmful to the guided
in our lifes course by hatred and aversions, for
they are wasteful of energy and limit and twist
the mind, and prevent it from perceiving the
truth.
186. War is the negation of truth means
(a) wars spread falsehood
(b) wars are evil
(c) wars should not exist
(d) wars mean killing innocents
187. Bitterness and aversions are unwholesome
as they are

(a) hindrance is seeing the truth

(b) harmful
(c) dangerous
(d) narrow
188. The word declared love of humanity is
(a) true
(b) false
(c) non-existent
(d) not to be taken seriously
189. The achievements of the world are not
impressive because
(a) they are mostly in the field of violence
(b) its love of humanity is a pretence
(c) the world has not made achievement
(d) there is nothing much to boast of
190. According to the author man should be
guided by
(a) logical reasoning
(b) practical experience (c) wisdom
(d) generous human feelings
Passage II (Q. No. 191 to 195)
India was the centre of attraction for the
world at large on account of her material wealth
as well as her spiritual excellence. Traders and
invaders along with preachers and philosophers
came to India. All of them took long and
exhausting land routes which put a lot of stress
and strain on them. Alexanders troops refused
to march beyond the Jhelum because of their
weariness and exhaustion. They had, therefore,
to be taken back home. However, many invading
tribes during ancient and medieval ages made
India their home and got absorbed in the stream
of her life, enriching her culture, heritage and
tradition.
191. What does the passage speak of?
(a) Indias past glory
(b) Indias wealth
(c) India becoming a home for foreigners
(d) Invaders who attacked India

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SSC Stonographer (16-10-2011)

192. What was it that attracted traders, invaders
preachers and philosophers to India?
(a) Indias material wealth
(b) Indias centres of philosophical learning
(c) Indias glory
(d) Indias material and spiritual wealth
193. What made foreigners take extreme pains to
come to India?
(a) Indias rich culture
(b) Indias immense wealth
(c) Spirit of adventure
(d) To fight with kings in India
194. What forced Alexanders armies to return?
(a) Resistance of people in India
(b) Munity of Alexanders soldiers
(c) Weariness and exhaustion
(d) Lack of fighting spirit
195. What good did ancient and medieval
invading tribes do to India?
(a) They got absorbed in the main stream of
her life
(b) They made India their home
(c) They improved trade relations
(d) They enriched the culture and heritage
of India
Passage III (Q. Nos. 196 to 200)
What does to be set right is our approach to
work. It is a common sight in our country of
employees reporting for duty one time and at the
same time doing little work. If an assessment is
made of the time they spent in gossiping,
drinking tea, eating paan and smoking
cigarettes, it will be shocking to know that the
time devoted to actual work is negligible. The
problem is the standard which the leadership in
administration sets for the staff. Forget the
ministers because they mix politics and
administration. What do top bureaucrats do?
What do the officials down below do? The

administrative set-up remains weak mainly

because the employees do not set the right
example to follow and they are more concerned
about being in the good books of the bosses than
doing work.
196. According to the author, the administration
in India is
(a) very strict and firm
(b) influenced by the red tape
(c) more less ineffective
(d) by and large effective
197. The employees in our country
(a) are not punctual but somehow manage
to complete their work
(b) are very friendly but sometimes lazy
(c) are not suitable for the job
(d) are quite punctual but not duly
conscious
198. The leadership in administration
(a) is of a low standard
(b) is of reasonably high standard
(c) sets a good example to the employees
(d) is composed of idealists
199. The work assessment means
(a) research
(b) enquiry
(c) evaluation
(d) report

200. The main theme of the passage could be best

described by which of the following
statements?
(a) The employer employee relationship
is quite cordial
(b) The employees outlook towards work is
justified
(c) The employees must alter their outlook
towards work
(d) The employees would never change
their work culture
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